Machine for applying valve sack on filling machine spout



4. 1970 L. D.-ADCOX 3,522,691

MACHINE FOR APPLYING VALVE SACK ON FILLING MACHINE SPOUT Filed Nov. 12, 1968 5 sheet s sheet 1 INVENTOR. L. D. Adcox A T TOR/V5 Y L. D. ADCOX Aug. 4,' 1970 MACHINE FOR APPLYING VALVE SACK 0N FILLING MACHINE SPOUT Filed Nov. 12. 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W. W m

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MACHINE FOR APPLYING VALVE SACK 0N FILM N6 MACHINE .SPOUT Filed Nov, 12, 1968 5 Sheets-finest 3 INVENTOR. L. D. Aldcox A T FOR/VE Y United States Patent Oflice 3,522,691 Patented Aug. 4, 1970 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for applying valved sacks on a filling ma chine spout comprising. compact mechanism for moving sacks from stacks on a rotatable supply platform positioned at one longitudinal side of the machine into an envelope movable to the opposite side in a short path transversely of the machine to align the valved sack in the envelope with the spout. A valve opener and sack carrier unit engages the sack in the envelope, opens the valve and carries the sack out of the envelope to the spout in a short path at right angle to the first path without bodily turning of the sack.

This invention relates to a machine for applying a valve sack to the spout of a filling machine. The main object of the invention is to provide a machine which automatically moves valve sacks from a supply stack to the spout of a filling machine by the use of compactly arranged mechanism capable of furnishing a large supply of bags and transferring them, successively, over two short paths at right angles to each other to the spout of the filling machine. 7

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a sack carrying platform located at one longitudinal side of the machine which automatically maves stacks of sacks into position for contact by suction means for lifting the sacks, successively, into sack transferring mechanism. The sack carrying platform is designed to support a plurality of stacks of sacks, in substantially horizontal planes, and to be rotated automatically, when one stack has been used, to bring a second stack into position for travel through the applicator machine. By this arrangement, a thousand or more sacks in four stacks may be placed on the supply platform for transfer to the filling machine spout before replenishment of the supply is required.

Another object of the invention is to provide very compact and simple mechanism for the stated purpose, by which each sack passes in a short path transversely of the machine and in another short path at right angles to the first movement, between the supply and spout on which the sack is to be applied. An important element of this mechanism is a sack container, referred to herein as an envelope, movable either pivotally or bodily, transversely of the machine, holding each sack while it is moved in a short transverse movement into direct alignment with a valve opener and sack carrier. When a sack has been lifted from a supply stack and fed into the envelope, the sack body assumes a position wherein the longitudinal dimension of the valved top is parallel to the axis of the filling machine spout, and maintains that position while it is within the envelope and being moved with the envelope into alignment with the valve opener and sack carrier which transfers it to the spout of the filling machine in a path at right angles to the direction of movement of the envelope. This arrangement obviates any necessity for turning of the sack body in its passage through the machine and greatly simplifies the mechanism required for handling the sacks.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the drawing and following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. lis an isometric view of a machine embodying my invention for placing valved sacks on the spout of a filling machine.

FIG. 1A is a vertical sectional view through the suction means assembly, in the plane of the line 1A1A' of FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 is an elevational front view of the machine showing the side opposite that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view in the plane of the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the envelope in sack receiving position.

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical :sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the envelope in position to deliver the sack to the valve opener-carrier device of the machine.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the machine, with part of the suction means assembly omitted.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rotatable platform on which the sacks are supported in stacks preparatory to being fed into the machine.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing a modification of the sack envelope shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 8 is an end view, on an enlarged scale, of the valved flap opener and sack carrier.

FIG. 9 is a similar view of a modification of the valved flap opener and sack carrier of FIG. 8.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the machine base 10 supports .a vertical frame member 11 and horizontal shelf 12 on which a motor 13 is mounted. Rearwardly of the frame member 11, a circular platform 15 in the plane of the base 10 is rotated intermittently in response to a signal from a photo cell 15', by any suitable means (not shown) for moving one of four stacks of sacks 16 into position for placement into the machine. The photocell signals when a stack of sacks has been used. The stack of sacks 16 rests between the sack ends on the terminal portion 17 of an arm 18 which is fixedly mounted in the axial upright 19. This sack supporting means keeps the sacks in substantially horizontal flat positions. The upright 19 and arms 18 are rotated with the platform to move a stack of sacks 16 into position to be fed into the machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sacks 16 are supported on the terminal portions 17 of the arms 18 so that when the stack of sacks reaches the placement position shown, the folded closed bottom 20 is adjacent the frame member 11 of the machine and the valve top flap 21 is adjacent another arm 18. Valve sacks are well known in the sack and filling machine arts. They are provided with a side opening between the folds of the upper flap, communicating with the interior of the sack. The spout of a filling machine enters the opening at the side of the flap 21.

Individual sacks 16 are picked up between their ends by suction means 25 comprising two or more suction cups 26 mounted in a cross bar 27 and connected to vacuum lines 28 which extend through a fixed cross piece 29 and communicate with a vacuum pump 30. The suction means 25 can move downwardly to the top of a stack notwithstanding varying heights of the stack as the bags are being fed into the machine. The cross bar 27 comprises two spaced apart bars as shown in FIG. 1A, with springs 27 between the two and switches 28 on top of one bar. One of the switches 28' is actuated when the suction assembly 25 has been moved upwardly to contact the fixed cross piece 29, and the other switch 28' is actuated when the assembly has moved down to pickup a sack 16.. The assembly 25 is vertically slidable by means of a rod 31 telescopically mounted in air cylinder 32, causing the suction cups 26 and bar 27 to move up to the cross piece 29 after the cups have engaged and lifted a sack 16 from the top of the stack.

When the suction means has been raised to the position of FIG. 2, and as shown in broken lines at the top of FIG. 3, the assembly moves transversely of the machine in a downwardly inclined direction by means of the square guide rod 33 in sleeve 34 and piston rod 35 in air cylinder 36.

The upward movement of the suction means 24, including the cups 26 and cross bar 27 with parts mounted thereon, followed by the downwardly inclined movement transversely of the machine, carries a sack 16 upwardly from the stack as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, then in a downwardly inclined direction transversely of the machine, across an inclined guide plate which extends longitudinally and guides the closed bottom end 20 of the sack into the space between a pair of rollers 41, 42. The roller 41 is an idler, loosely mounted on shaft 43. The roller 42 is a friction roller, rotated by shaft 44 through gearing 45 driven by motor 13. The guide plate 40 is pivotally mounted to swing about the pivotal connection 46 as shown in FIG. 3, to guide the sack into the space between the rollers 41 and 42. The guide plate 40 is moved pivotally by an actuator 39.

Adjacent the inner side surfaces of the rollers 41 and 42 are a pair of stationary guide plates 47 and 48 between which the sack 16 passes to a container designated 50 as a whole, open at its top and sides. This container is referred to herein as the envelope 50. The envelope 50 is designated to receive one sack 16 at a time. It comprises front and rear walls 51, 52, and a closed bottom 53. The front wall 51 has an upper section 54 hingedly connected to the top of the wall 51. A pin 55 extends horizontally through the hinged section 54 and the rear wall 52 of the envelope 50, and has coiled springs 56, 57, surrounding its ends between said section 54 and an end nut 58, and between said wall 52 and an end nut 59. The springs 56, 57 retain the section 54 in vertical alignment with the front wall 51 when the envelope 50 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, and permit pivotal movement of the section 54 to the open mouth position of the envelope shown in FIG. 3. The envelope is moved back and forth on its pivotal connection 59 by the rod 60 and air cylinder 61, being moved to the FIG. 3 position to receive a sack 16 and to the FIG. 4 position for engagement of the sack by a flap opener and carrier described hereinafter. The envelope may be connected by pivotal means 59 to the base 10 or to a raised support 62, as shown. When the envelope is in the FIG. 3 position, the hinged section 54 of the front wall 51 is held in the open position by an extension 63 which engages any fixed part of the machine frame, such as the vertical member 64, FIG. 3. This compresses the spring 58 which urges the section 54 to the vertical position of FIG. 4 when the operative mechanism 60, 61, moves the envelope to the vertical position.

When a sack 16 has entered the envelope 50, bottom end down, the valved top flap 21 protrudes from the envelope as shown in FIG. 4. The presence of the sack in the envelope signals the electric eye which controls sack pressing means 71 actuated by air cylinder and rod 72 to retain the sack against the front wall 51 of the cylinder. A actuating rod 73 in air cylinder 74 centers the sack 16 with respect to the valve opener and sack carrier 75. In this position, the sack flap 21 is ready for engagement by the valve opener and carrier 75 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 8. The carrier 75 is designed to engage the flap 21 when the envelope and sack are in the position of FIG. 4. The carrier 75 is moved in vertical directions by the air cylinder 76 and rod 77. The downward movement of the carrier toward the sack and also presses downwardly to the body of the sack and also presses downwardly on the longitudinal edges of the flap. The upward movement of the carrier 75 causes the carrier to exert pressure on the edges of the flap to open the valve, at the same time lifting the sack relatively to the envelope, as shown in FIG. 2. Then the carrier is moved to the left of FIG. 2, by rod 77 in air cylinder 76 out of the side of envelope 50 with its open valve top 21 in position ot receive the spout S of an existing filling machine which is not part of the machine of this invention.

A modified form of opener-carrier 78 is shown in FIG. 9. This opener-carrier may be moved in longitudinal direction relatively to the bag flap 21 to engage the flap and then carry the sack toward the spout S.

The envelope 50 described in connected with FIGS. 3 and 4 carries the sack 16 transversely of the machine by a pivotal movement about the pivotal connection 59. FIG. 7 shows a modification of the means for moving the envelope transversely of the machine. In place of the pivotal connection 59, the envelope is mounted on the frame 11 by a guide bar 80 in sleeve 81 which carries the actuating piston rod 82 in air cylinder 83, whereby the envelope 50 is moved bodily across the machine from its sack receiving position shown in broken lines to the sack delivering position shown in full lines.

After the sack has been grasped by the valve opener and sack carrier 75 (or the modified opener-carrier 78 of FIG. 9), it is moved toward the spout S with the opener-carrier which has a wheel 86 adapted to travel in channel bar 85. The connection between the Wheel 88 and carrier 75 (or 78) is indicated at 87. A switch 88 on the longitudinal bar 90 is actuated by passing of the opener-carrier to operate the suction means 25 to pick up a new sack, and a switch 89 is actuated to return the opener-carrier to its sack receiving position.

The operation of the machine is apparent from the foregoing description of parts, but may be summarized briefly as follows: Sacks 16 are arranged in four stacks and located on the rotatable platform 15 as shown in FIG. 6, with the stacks resting on the member 18 of the arms 17-18 to maintain the sacks midway between their ends in the best position for pick-up by the suction cups 26 which engage the sacks as shown in FIG. 1, with the closed ends 20 toward the machine. The suction means 25 and the sack 16 are raised as shown in FIG. 3 to carry the sack to the space between rollers 41, 42, downwardly between guides 47, 48, into the envelope 50. Then the envelope 50 is tilted forwardly toward the front of the machine, in a short movement transversely of the machine, as shown in FIG. 4, or the envelope may be moved bodily as shown in FIG. 7, to move the sack across the the machine into alignment with the spout S. When the envelope 50 is in its forward position as shown in FIG. 2, the valve flap 21 of the sack in the envelope is in alignment with the spout S longitudinally of the machine, and in position to be grasped by the opener-carrier 75. The envelope is centered relatively to the opener-carrier 75 by the rod 73 and air cylinder 74, and the sack is pressed against the front wall 51 by the means 71, 72. The electric eye 70 signals the presence of the bag in proper position in the envelope. When the opener-carrier 75 has moved downwardly to grasp the flap 21 by means of rod 77 and air cylinder 76, and then upwardly to open the valve, the sack is ready to move from the stationary position at the right hand end of channel bar to the left hand end as shown in FIG. 2, to position the open valve flap 21 on the spout S.

The movement of the sacks from the supply at the rear of the machine, into the enevelope, and the movement of the envelope and sack across the machine to the front to a place opposite the sack supply, is in a short straight transverse path. The opening of the valve is performed when the envelope has completed the movement across the machine, followed by movement of the sack out of the side of the envelope to the spout in a short straight longitudinal path at a right angle to the first direction of movement. The transfer of the sacks thus takes place in very compact mechanism, without turning of the sacks.

Changes may be made in details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for applying sacks having valved flaps on a filling machine spout comprising (a) means located adjacent one longitudinal side of the machine for supporting a supply of horizontally disposed sacks having their closed ends adjacent to the machine,

(b) means moving a sack from said horizontal position to a substantially vertical position in which the valved flap is uppermost and the sack body is parallel to said longitudinal side of the machine,

(c) means moving the sack transversely of the machine to the other longitudinal side to a place opposite the sack supply,

(d) valve opener and carrier means movable to open the valved end of the sack at the end of said transverse movement, and

(e) means moving the opener-carrier means and the sack in a straight path at a right angle to the transverse movement of said sack and applying it on a filling machine spout.

2. The machine defined by claim 1, in which the sack supply supporting means is a rotatable platform having means for supporting a plurality of stacks of sacks, said platform being rotatable to move each stack, successively, to a position in which the closed end of the sack is adjacent and parallel to one longitudinal side of the ma chine.

3. The machine defined b claim 1, in which the sack supply supporting means is a rotatable platform having means above the platform supporting the sacks in a stack between the sack ends to raise the middle portions of the sacks and maintain the uppermost portion of a stack in substantially horizontal position to be picked up by suction means engaging a sack between its ends.

4. The machine defined by claim 1, in which the sack supporting means is a rotatable platform having means for supporting a plurality of stacks of sacks, a plurality of arms each consisting of two members at right angles to each other, and a central upright on which the arms are mounted above the platform, the terminal member of each arm supporting the sacks in a stack of sacks between the sack ends to raise the middle portions of the sacks and maintain the uppermost sack in a stack in substantially horizontal position to be picked up by suction means engaging the sack between its ends.

5. The machine defined by claim 1, in which the means moving a sack from horizontal position to a substantially vertical position in which the valved flap is uppermost and the sack body is parallel to the longitudinal side of the machine, comprises suction means movable vertically to and from the sack supply to contact a sack between its ends and lift it, and then movable in a downwardly inclined path transversely of the machine to deposit the closed end of the sack in the machine.

6. The machine defined by claim 1, in which the means moving a sack from horizontal position to a' substantially vertical position in which the valved flap is uppermost and the sack body is parallel to the longitudinal side of the machine, comprises suction means, means moving the suction means in vertical directions, and a downwardly inclined track extending transversely of the machine on which the suction means is guided after it has picked up and lifted a sack from the supply.

7. The machine defined by claim 1, in which the means moving the sack transversely of the machine to the opposite longitudinal side to a place opposite the sack supply comprises an envelope having front, rear and bottom walls, and an open top and side, the top opening being designed to receive a sack, and means for moving the envelope transversely of the machine from a sack receiving position to a sack delivering position.

8. The machine defined by claim 7, in which the envelope is povitally connected at its bottom to the base of the machine, and is tiltable from an inclined sack receiving position to a vertical sack delivering position.

9. The machine defined by claim 7, in which the envelope has mounted thereon means which contact the lower part of a sack in the envelope and hold the sack while the valve opener and carrier is engaging the valve flap of the sack.

10. The machine defined by claim 7, which includes means mounted on a fixed part of the machine for contacting a side edge of the sack in the envelope and centering the sack for engagement by the valve opener and carrier means.

11. The machine defined by claim 8, in which the envelope has a hinged section connected to the upper edge of the front wall, said hinged section being automatically movable to an inclined position in which the intake upper end of the envelope is transversely widened when the envelope is tilted to sack receiving position, and said hinged section being automatically movable to vertical position parallel to the envelope front and rear walls when the envelope is returned to the vertical sack delivering position.

12. The machine defined by claim 11 which includes a pin extending through the envelope front and rear walls, and coiled springs on the ends of the pin between said respective front and rear walls and spring retaining means on the ends of the pin, whereby the hinged sec tion is urged into vertical position when the envelope is returned to sack delivering position.

13. The machine defined by claim 7, which includes a pair of rollers axially parallel to the longitudinal sides of the machine and located to receive the closed end of the sack supply, and guide means between the rollers and the envelope for guiding sacks into the envelope.

14. The machine defined by claim 7, in which the valve opener and carrier means engages a sack when the envelope has reached its sack delivering position, opens the valve, carries the sack out of the side of the envelope in a straight direction at a right angle to the transverse movement of the envelope, and places the valve flap on the spout.

15. A machine for applying valved sacks on a filling 0 machine spout comprising (a) means located adjacent one longitudinal side of the machine for supporting a supply of horizontally disposed sacks with their closed ends adjacent the machine,

(b) an open top and side envelope mounted in the machine for movement transversely of the envelope and machine,

(0) suction means between the supply platform and machine for picking up a sack from the supply by engaging the sack midway between its ends and feeding the closed end of the sack into the envelope,

(d) means moving the envelope transversely of the machine to the other longitudinal side and opposite the supply platform,

(e) a valve opener and carrier movable to engage the valve flap of the sack while in the envelope, and

(f) means for moving the valve opener-carrier longitudinally of the machine in a short path at a right angle to the transverse movement of the sack.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,213,588 10/1965 Peterson 53188 X 3,466,837 9/1969 Sturges 53-190X TRAVIS S. McG'EHEE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 53-188 

